New Delhi: Here are the pictures of a meeting between Indian and Chinese Defense Ministers at the Hotel Metropol in Moscow, Russia. While details of this meeting are awaited, the discussion based on these pictures is at present limited to Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s body language.  It’s worth noting that China had sought a meeting at Defence Minister level with India during the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Moscow, Russia yesterday. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is on a three-day visit to Russia. Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe is also there for SCO meet. The meeting between Indian and Chinese Defense ministers that lasted for two hours and twenty minutes took place when thousands of troops of both nations are amassed on the border amid standoff situation. External Affairs ministers of both countries are likely to meet next week.

Update: Defense Ministry shares details of the meeting

The two Ministers had frank and in-depth discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as on India-China relations. Raksha Mantri categorically conveyed India’s position on the developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) including in the Galwan valley in the Western Sector of the India-China Border Areasin the last few months. RM emphasised that the actions of the Chinese troops, including amassing of large number of troops, their aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation of the bilateral agreements. RM stated clearly that while the Indian troops had always taken a very responsible approach towards border management, but at the same time there should also be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. RM said that both sides should take guidance from the consensus of the leaders that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas was essential for the further development of bilateral relations & that2 sides should not allow differences to become disputes.RM advised that it was important therefore that Chinese side should work with the Indian side for complete disengagement at the earliest from all friction areas including Pangong Lake as well as de-escalation in border areas in accordance with the bilateral agreements & protocols. RM further said that the current situation should be handled responsibly and that neither side should take any further action that could either complicate the situation or escalate matters in the border areas.Raksha Mantri conveyed that the two sides should continue their discussions, including through diplomatic and military channels, to ensure complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC at the earliest.